Grain-elevator



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.. G. C. PLAGG & E. T. GUYMON.

GRAIN ELEVATOR.

Patented Apr. 18

THE cams warns on, PHOTO-LITHD.. WASHINGTON. u c

(No Model.) 2SheetsSheet G. C. PLAGG 82; E. T. GUYMON.

GRAIN ELEVATOR.

Patented Apr. 18, 1893.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,

GEORGE CORNER FLAGG AND EDWARD T. GUYMON, OF LEWVISTO'WN,

. ILLINOIS.

G RAlN-ELEVATO R.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 495,698, dated April18, 1893.

Application filed August 16, 1892. Serial No. 443,260. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, GEORGE CORNER FLAGG and EDWARD T. GUYMoN, citizensof the United States, residing at Lewistown,in the county of Fulton andState of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Grain-Elevator, ofwhich the following is a specification.

Our invention relates to an elevator attachment for thrashing machines,the objects in view being to provide a cheap and durable elevatormechanism adapted to be applied to the discharge of a thrashing machine,to be conveniently carried thereby in a compact position when not inuse, to be driven from the cylinder shaft of the machine, and to provide for an easy oiling of the parts and adjustment of the elevatorbelt.

Various other objects and advantages of the invention will appear in thefollowing description, and the novel features thereof will beparticularly pointed out in the claims.

Referring to the drawings: Figure 1 is a side view of the elevator, andshows a portion of the adjacent end of the separator to which theelevator is attached. Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the same.Fig. 3 is a similar view at right angles to Fig. 2. Fig. dis a plan viewof the operating mechanism showing the casing or box in transversesection. Fig. 5 is l a face view and section of the main-cylinder pulleyand bracing disk. Fig. 6 is a detail perspective view of the pivotingmechanism for the elevator.

Like numerals of reference indicate like parts in all the figures of thedrawings.

1 designates the rear portion of a thrashing machine, 2 the shaker ordischarge spout, 3 the cylinder-shaft, and 4: a pulley which we apply tothe end of the shaft where practicable. If in case the shaft shouldterminate in bearings and not provide for an application of the pulley,the pulley may be applied to some other rotatable driving-shaft of themachine, though we prefer the cylinder-shaft for this purpose, inasmuchas the remaining shafts are usually proportioned together with thebelts, so as to adapt them to withstand simply the strain to which theyare ordinarily subjected.

' 5 designates an elevator casing or box, and

the same is provided at its upper end with an inclined discharge 6,adapted to deliver grain therefrom upon the scales or weighingmechanism, which is preferably located at the center of the rear end ofthe separator.

At the lower end of the box or casing, in an opening, '7, is mounted thehopper 8, having side-walls 9 which extend above the plane of the lowerend of the spout 10 of the separator, and an outer wall 1O which isinclined (when the hopper is in its operative position) and terminatesslightly below the plane of the lower end of said spout, whereby thehopper may be withdrawn from beneath the spout, when desired, byswinging it to the rear. The hopper is pivoted at its bottom to thesides of the casing or box and is held from opening or projecting beyonda certain point by stops 10, which engage the top of the opening 7.

WVhen the elevator casing or box is arranged for transportation it isturned to a horizontal position, and in order to enable it to bearranged readily and quickly in this position we have provided thefollowing means for mounting the casing upon the separator frame.

61 represents a bracket, which is bolted to the separator frame, and isprovided with convergent sides 62, end-piece 63 provided with a bearing6i, and a cross-bar 65 provided in its under side with a groove 66.

Clip-plates 67 are arranged respectively in contact withthe front andrear sides of the casing orbox at any convenientinternnediate point, asshown, and are held in place by bolts 68. One of these clip-plates bearsa pivot-pin 69, which is adapted to rest in bearing 64 and engage at itsfree end under crossbar 65 in the groove 66. To apply the casing or boxto the separator, the former is inclined toward the separator and thepivot-pin inserted in the bracket.

When it is desired to turn the elevator to a horizontal position fortransportation, the lower end thereof is swung outward, slightly, toenable the hopper to be closed or folded into the casing or box, theobject of thus closing or folding the hopper being to prevent itsinterference, while turning the elevator upon its pivot, with anyprojecting parts of the separator.

Journaled in the opposite walls of the casing is a transverse shaft 11,for the reception of which cast metal boxes are provided. These boxesconsist of a central bored bodyportion 12, provided with an internaloilgroove 13, and, near their middles, have securing flanges 14, castintegral therewith. The inner ends of the bored body-portions 12 extendthrough opposite openings formed in the elevator side walls, and theperforated flanges or securing plates lie on the outside of the elevatorcasing and are bolted to position. Upon the shaft 11, between the innerends of the said boxes, a cylinder 15 is journaled, the hub of thecylinder being located upon the shaft 11 and fitting between the twoboxes, while the periphery of the cylinder being greater in length thanthe hub extends over the inner ends of the boxes close to the side wallsof the elevator casing. This cylinder is provided, at its center, withan external annular series of sprocketteeth. The shaft 11 projectsbeyond the boxes at opposite sides of the elevator casing, and isadapted at either end to receive a sprocketwheel 16, driven in a mannerhereinafter described and serving as the means for giving movement tothe elevator mechanism.

A pair of cast-metal L-shaped bearing-hangers are located at the innersides, near the lower ends of the side walls of the elevator casing, andsaid hangers consist of an upper hollow arm or leg 17; above the same isa metal strap-portion 18, and at its lower end in a bearing-portion 19,which extends inwardly, is provided with an internal oil-groove 20,which communicates with the hollow arm 17. The arm 17 is provided at itsback with aperforation or oil-port 21.

22 and 23 designate the upper and lower sections, respectively, of avertical transverse partition located in the elevator casing, saidsections being slidably connected or spliced loosely by the bifurcatingof the lower end of the upper section and introduction therein of theupper end of the lower section,so that, as will be obvious, thepartition may be lengthened or shortened. The lower end of the partitionis reduced to fit between the metal straps 18, and a bolt 24 passesthrough each of the straps and through said lower end.

25 designates a sprocket-wheel, having opposite axial stub-shafts 26,whose ends take into the bearing-portions 19 of the cast-metal hangers.The opposite side-walls of the elevator casing are longitudinallyslotted, at 27, and,upon the outer side of each side wall, an L-shapedmetal strap 28, terminating at their lower ends in outwardly disposed orbent feet 29, which are perforated. The slots 27 occur opposite theperforations in the backs of the hollow arms 17, and the metal plates28, opposite said perforations, are provided with oil-holes 30, normallycovered by a pivoted closure 31, with which each of the straps isprovided. A transverse bolt 32 extends 2 through the two straps, thehollow arms, and

the lower end of the partition sections, so that these parts all movetogether as the bolt 32 moves in the slots 27 of the elevator casing. Anendless chain 33 passes over the upper and lower sprockets, and saidchain is provided with a series of flights 34. A transverse bar 35 'islocated at the lower end of the elevator, the extremities of the barprojecting beyond the sides of the elevator, where they are perforated,and adjusting-bolts 36 are passed upwardly through'the perforations ofthe bar and the outwardly-bent feet 29, of the straps 28, and above thelatter are provided with nuts 37. It will be obvious that bymanipulating these nuts upon the aforesaid bolts 36, the straps will beraised and lowered and being connected by the bolt 32 with the cast-ironhangers in which is journaled the lower sprocket, said lower sprocketand the lower partition section will be raised or lowered, and with themthe endless chain or belt will be loosened or tightened.

It will thus be seen that the adjustment of the belt is rendered easyand may be accomplished with facility, and furthermore, that the boxesat the upper end of the elevator casing, and those at the lower endthereof, may be oiled from the outside.

Just above the hinge-point the elevator box is embraced by a pair oftransverse metal bars, designated as 38 and 39, the latter being longerthan the former and provided with a branch arm 40, arranged at a rightangle to its main body-portion, and terminating at its outer end inastep-box or socket 41. The bars 38 and 39 embrace the elevator casingand extend beyond the sides of the same, where they are, perforated andconnected by a pair of tie-bolts 42. The bars are also provided withinwardly-turned flanges, whereby they become more securely fixed uponthe casing, said flanges being indicated at 43. The bar 39, between itsends, is provided with an outwardly-disposed bored stud 44, and thestud,at one side, is provided with a U-shaped arm or extension 45, theouter end of which is bored to form a bearing 46, which is inlongitudinal alignment with the bearing 41. A counter-shaft 47 isjournaled loosely in the bearings 41 and 46, and is provided with asmall pulley 48. A beveled gear 49 is likewise mounted on the shaft 47,and it engages and drives a bevel-gear 50, which is mounted on the outerend of a shaft 51, one end of which is journaled in the bearing-stud 44,and the opposite end of which is journaled in the bearing-opening 52,with which the bar 38 is provided. That end of the shaft 51 whichextends beyond the bearing 52, carries a sprocket-wheel 53, and anendless chain 54 passes over said sprocket-wheel and over the sprocketwheel 16 upon the shaft 11,whereby motion is communicated to the shaft11. The pulley 48' derives its motion through the medium of a belt 55,which connects the same with the before-mentioned pulley describedasbeing preferably mounted upon the cylindershaft. It will be understoodthat each of the bearings 40, 44, 46, and 53 are provided with internaloil-grooves which communicate with the exterior by the usual ports.

From the above it will be seen that the U- shaped extension 45 enablesthe bearing 46 to be arranged out of the way of the bevel gear49, andthe pulley 48, which is cup shaped, or hollow at one side, the web beingarranged close to one side of the periphery or rim, is adapted to bearranged at any part of the counter-shaft. Thus, it may be arrangedclose to either side of the stud 44 or close to the arm 40. It may bearranged either upon the main portion of shaft 47 between the bevelgearand the box 41, as shown in full lines in the drawings, in which casethe hollow side thereof will fit over said bevel-gear and allow the rimto be brought close to the stud 44, or it may be arranged upon theextension of the shaft 47, beyond the bearing 46, as shown in dottedlines in Fig. 4, in which case the hollow side is turned in the oppositedirection and fits over the U-shaped arm 45.

56 designates a cast-metal disk, provided with a central perforationand, upon its inner side, with a series of radial ribs which terminateat their outer ends short of the periphery of the disk. A threadedopeningis formed in the end of the'cylinder-snaft, as designated at 57,and a screw 58 passed through the perforation in the disk and into thethreaded opening formed in the shaft, whereby the disk is drawn snuglyagainst the face of the pnlley, located on the cylinder-shaft, and theribs taking against the inner periphery of the pulley-rim strengthen thelatter.

The step-box or socket 41 receives the thrust of the counter-shaft andprevents the bevel-gear 49 from being crowded out of engagement withbevel-gear 50.

From the above description it will be obvious, that the mechanism whichis located at or near the pivotal point of the elevator casing, and bymeans of which the power of the belt operated by the shaft of theseparator is communicated to the elevator, is so disposed in order torelieve the extremities of the casing of excessive weight and enable thesame to be manipulated with facility. Furthermore, by this arrangementof the gearing at or near the pivotal point of the casing, the elevatormay be turned to its horizontal position without removing or detachingthe belt by which the motion of the shaft of the separator is conveyedto such gearing. It will be noted, furthermore, that the elevator, asherein-described, is detachable from the separator without the removalof any securing devices, inasmuch as the spindle is loosely stepped inthe bracket and held in operative position by the weight of theelevator. Furthermore, the hopper is arranged, pivotally, in an openingin the inner side of the casing, or the side toward or adjacent to theseparator, whereby our improved elevator may be attached to an ordinaryseparator having a side discharge,

even if such discharge is through the wheel. Furthermore, by. thedescribed arrangement of the hopper, the spout of the separatordischarges squarely against the flights of the elevator, thus enablingthe latter to operate more effectively. By arranging the hopper so as toswing or close into an opening in the side of the elevator casing it isheld out of the way when turning the casing from one position to theother, and furthermore, if the spout of the separator extends wellthereinto, the hopper may be disengaged therefrom without tipping thecasing.

Having described our invention, what we claim is- 1. The combinationwith a thrashing machine, a shaft thereof and its discharge spout, of anelevator, the casing of which is pivotally mounted upon the thrashingmachine and is provided at one end in its inner side, or side adjacentto said thrashing machine, with an opening, a hopper pivotally mountedin said opening and capable of being extended to its operative positionor folded within the opening, elevating mechanism, and means forcommunicating motion from the shaft of the machine to the elevatingmechanism, substantially as specified.

2. The combination with a thrashing machine, a shaft thereof and itsdischarge spout, of an elevator, the casing of which is pivotallymounted at a point adjacent to and above its center upon the frame ofthe machine, gearing arranged at or above the pivotal point of theelevator casing and connected by belting to the elevator, a beltconnecting said gearing to the shaft of the machine, and a hopperpivotally mounted in an opening at the lower end of the elevator, suchopening being in the side of the elevator casing adjacent to themachine, substantially as specified.

3. In a grain elevator, the combination with the casing, the uppertransverse shaft, and a sprocket-wheel thereon, of a lower transverseshaft, a sprocketwheel thereon, an intermediate transverse partitionconsisting of two overlapping sections, the upper section beingstationary and the lower section connected to and movable with the lowertransverse shaft, an elevator chain having flights connecting the twosprockets, and means for raising and lowering the lower shaft,substantially as specified.

4. In a grain elevator, thecombination with the casing provided at itslower ends with slots, a pair of L-shaped hangers mounted for movementWithin and near the lower end of the casing, bolts passing through thehangers and into the slots of the casing, of asprocketwheel supported bythe hangers, an upper transverse shaft with a sprocket-wheel thereon, anendless belt carrying flights connecting the sprocket-Wheels, and meansfor raising and lowering the lower hangers in the slots, substantiallyas specified.

5. In a grain elevator, the combination with the casing provided at itslower ends with the slots and below the same with a transverse barhaving perforations and extending beyond the sides of the casin g, theupper sprocket-wheel, the shaft for the same, the lower L- shapedhangers comprising the upper perforated straps, the central hollowarms,the backs of which are provided with ports communicating with theslots, and the lower ends of which form lateral bearings havingoil-grooves communicating with the arms, the lower sprocket-wheelssupported in the bearings, of the external L-shaped plates connectedwith the L-shaped hangers and provided with perforations opposite theoil-ports of the hangers, the adjusting bolts passed through theperforations of the transverse bar at the lower end of the casing, andthrough the perforations of the L-shaped straps, and nuts mounted uponthe bolts, substantially as specified.

6. The combination with the elevator casing, the elevator mechanismmounted therein and comprising at its upper end a transverse shafthaving a sprocket-wheel, of the opposite side-bars 38 and 39 embracingthe casing, the latter bar being extended to form the arm 40,terminating in the bearing 41, and also provided with the bearing-stud44, located opposite a bearing-opening 53, formed in the side-bar 38,the tie-rods 42, the bearing-arm 45 extending from the stud 44, andhaving the bearing 46 in longitudinal alignment with the bearing 41, theshaft 47 mounted in the bearings 41 and 46, the pulley mounted on theshaft and adapted to be connected with any of the moving parts of athrashing machine, a miter-gear mounted on said shaft, a transverseshaft mounted in the bearings 34 and 53, a miter-gear 50 mounted on theend of the shaft and engaging the gear 49, the sprocketwheel 53 on theopposite end of the shaft 51, and the endless chain 54 connecting thesame with the sprocket-wheel of the transverse shaft of the elevatingmechanism, substantially as specified.

7 In a grain elevator, the combination with the casing, and a lowersupported sprocketwheel, of opposite cast-metal boxes mounted in thesides and at the upper end of the easing, said boxes havinginwardly-extending bored body-portions and annular securingplates formedintegral with the body-portion between the ends of the latter, saidplates being secured to the external surfaces of the side walls of thecasing and the body-portion inwardly-extending through said side walls,the cylinder approximating the width of the casing and extending beyondthe inner ends of the bearing-boxes, said cylinder being provided withperipheral sprocket-teeth and with a hub fitting between the ends of theboxes, a sprocket-chain passed over the cylinder and thelowersprocket-wheel, and flights mounted on the chain, substantially asspecified.

8. In combination with a separator-frame, and an elevator casing or box,the bracket secured to the separator-frame and having a bearing 64, andcross-bar 65, and the clipplates secured to the elevator casing or box,one of which is provided with a pivot-pin to engage said bearing andcross-bar, substantially as specified.

9. In combination with an elevator casing or box, the pivot-pin carriedthereby, and a bearing-bracket attached to a separator-frame and havinga notch-bearing at its outer end and a grooved bar to engage the freeendof the pivot-pin, substantially as specified.

10. The combination with a separator frame, of a bracket attachedthereto and having parallel bars provided, respectively, with upper andlower bearings, and an elevator having a casing provided with a fixedpivotal pin stepped in such bracket with its inner and outer endsengaged, respectively, in said bearings, whereby the elevator may bedetached from the separator frame, substantially as specified.

In testimony that we claim the foregoing as our own we have heretoaffixed our signatures in the presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE CORNER FLAGG. EDWARD T. GUYMON.

\Vitnesses:

AARON E. Soo'rT, EDWARD 0. MILES.

